Author Lynn Rush is on the Hot Seat…

UPDATE: Random.org chose Amy Lynn Michael as the winner! Congrats! 🙂

I’d like to introduce my friend, Lynn Rush. Lynn is the author of WASTELAND, a truly awesome paranormal romance that you just have to read! She began her writing career in 2008. She has both an undergraduate and graduate degree in the mental health field and has enjoyed applying that unique knowledge to developing unique characters.

A former inline speed skater and mountain biker, Lynn has been known to test the limits of her athletic endurance. So, when she’s not writing, she spends time enjoying the Arizona sunshine by road biking nearly 100 miles per week with her husband of fourteen years and going on jogs with her loveable Shetland Sheep dogs.

So…here are my questions for Lynn:

What inspired WASTELAND? How and why did you decided to write this particular story?

I wrote it in December 2009 in my fourth month of unemployment. I poured my heart into writing during that time and this was a product of that. The emotions. The frustration of having to deal with something beyond my control. Something I hadn’t asked for and didn’t want.

I’m known to just sit down and start writing, and that’s what I did with this, too. But looking back, I can see the connection to what was happening in my life at the time.

2. I’ve read WASTELAND and I have to say…I loved the emotion in it. Well, I also loved the hero. Tell us one thing about your hero that no one else knows.

Jeez, I sure hope he doesn’t read this interview, otherwise I might get an up close and personal view of his claws. But seriously, on the flight from New York to Arizona, they crammed pop culture stuff down his throat since he’d been in sensory deprivation for so long. One of the things he saw was the iCarly show. Spencer made David laugh, which is actually pretty difficult to do, considering he’s a tad twitchy from imprisonment and the fact that he’s a half-demon….

3. Being a half-demon…well…the guy is hot. WASTELAND is labeled as ‘new adult.’ What exactly is ‘new adult’ and how does it differ from both young adult and, well, adult?

I get asked this a lot. It’s fairly new on the scene. Some have talked about “Upper Young Adult,” which is pretty close to what is meant by New Adult.

My publisher described it very well with this description: Young adult stories are just as complex as any mainstream novel, however you’ll find the romantic element is handled more gently in comparison. Also, the characters are generally in Middle School or High School. A New Adult novel takes the story to the next level romantically. The characters are usually out of school and confronted with life challenges.

4. I loved how your characters dealt with their life challenges. Speaking of life…what’s next for you?

Wasteland II (which I’m tentatively calling AWAITED) is off to my crit partners to be hacked up. And while they’re doing that, I’m working on the edits for VIOLET MIDNIGHT. It’s book one in the Violet Night Trilogy, which Crescent Moon Press will publish.

5. So while you’re editing and writing…you’re also promoting. You’re known as a bit of a social media guru. Did you set out to be one? If not, how did it happen?

I am? I really love social media but I’ve never thought myself a guru. I’ve met tons of great people, that’s for sure, and I love interacting with them. I’m a pretty positive and optimistic person, so I think that plays into the Tribe that’s developed. Or, they just want to read about me torturing myself on 70-mile bike rides. 🙂 No. Seriously…I really just want to be a positive and encouraging space on the net. There’s enough junk out there to bring a person down, right?

6. So true! And I think one of the reasons you’re so successful socially is that it seems like you truly like people. You really enjoy the interaction. If you could be anyone else in history (you have to choose someone), alive or dead, who would it be and why?

There are quite a few people to choose from, but I’d have to say Esther. At church we had this series about Heroes. It was wicked-awesome, but when I heard Esther’s story, I was hooked. A mere mortal, unlike the characters I write about, Esther risked her life to save those she cared about. Brave enough to face death.

I’d love to have a fraction of her strength and courage. 🙂

7. I’m pretty sure you do. 🙂 Thanks so much for agreeing to an interview on my blog. Is there anything you’d like to add?

First, I’d like to say thank you for having me on your blog and being a part of the tour. This has been super fun. And I can’t thank you enough for your support!

Hey, readers–I’m curious, how would you guys answer #6? I’ll give away a signed copy of Wasteland to acommenter. If you’re not a US resident, that’s okay, I can send you an electronic version. I’ll pick someone tomorrow and contact the winner–Rebecca can send me the winner’s email. Have fun with this!

Isn’t she great? A couple more places to find Lynn and WASTELAND on the web:

39 thoughts on “Author Lynn Rush is on the Hot Seat…”

I can’t wait to get a copy of Wasteland. It sounds like an amazing book and I’ve heard only good reviews.

As for question 6, I honestly don’t know who I’d want to be. Ideally, I’d love to have a time machine, so I could go back in time to witness some of the greatest events in history. But I wouldn’t want to live long term in any of those times. I love modern conveniences too much! I couldn’t give up my car or hot showers or abundant chocolate at the supermarket.

Hey, Christal. Thanks for commenting. A time machine would be great. Huh? Yeah, that’s a tough question, especially narrowing it down to one…. 🙂 I wouldn’t want to live in any other time than now, either. I couldn’t live without the chocolate and conveniences either!!! 🙂

Excellent question. I really wouldn’t want to be a well known historical figure. Maybe my grandmother. She had a tough life raising her 6 siblings then her own family and finally my brother and me. Why she got us all I don’t know. But what a loving person she was. I’d like to be the selfless – but I’m not.

Hi Lynn! I’m really looking forward to reading Wasteland. Your blog is great and I love what you had to say about being positive. I agree there’s a lot of negativity out there and it’s great to see an optimistic outlook.

Hello, Lynn. Kelly here.
A great interview. I already have Wasteland– so far, loving it!
Regarding #6–
Hard to choose, very hard.
Off the top, I’d say Albet Einstein. Would love to know what it’s like to have all that brain power at my disposal.
Cheers, Kelly 🙂

Hey Lynn! I cannot wait to read WASTELAND. As for #6, I think I’d be Elizabeth Hardwick. She was a poor farmers daughter who became the richest woman in Elizabethan England with her brains and advantageous marriages. She was also a brilliant architect and built some of the most famous mansions in England, Chatsworth & Hardwick Hall. Through her 1st husband she founded the Cavendish Dynasty (The Dukes of Devonshire) who are still around and in power today.

I love the story of Esther! She was a great woman. My son’s girlfriend is Jewish and she says whenever the name Haman is said in the temple or Hebrew School, that everyone yells boo and uses noisemakers to show disdain for him. As another tradition, they bake apricot cookies called Hamentaschen that are shaped like his triangle hat

It was fun seeing you on a new blog site! Loved the exchange between you and Rebecca and I must echo the sentiment above – Wasteland is a MUST READ! As for Q#6 – I have no good answer. I think about historical people I admire but honestly, I don’t want to suffer without indoor plumbing! Plus, it’s a bit daunting thinking I could fill any of their shoes. Guess I’ll just stick with me, right now. 😉

Hi Lynn! Loved the interview! I didn’t know that you used to inline speed skate? That’s amazing! As for #6 I’m having a difficult time thinking of someone (I guess that’s a good thing, right?). I loved your Esther answer- she rocked. If I had to choose, I’d be one of the people that encountered Jesus I guess. I can’t imagine what it was like to be one of the 5000 or see him heal those who couldn’t see or walk. It must have been amazing.

HI, Erin. My comment must not have saved, so I’ll try again. Thanks for stopping by. Esther is pretty tough to beat, isn’t she? Love her strength!!! 🙂 Yep. I loved inline speed skating. I was WAY into it. 🙂 Gave it up and found writing instead!! 🙂

Great interview, Rebecca and Lynn! I’m almost half-way through WASTELAND and loving it so far. No need to enter me into the drawing since I already have a couple copies. 🙂

If I could be anyone else, I’d be a whale researcher. If I have to someone specifically, it would be Roger Payne, the co-discoverer of the significance of humpback whale song. What an amazing life he’s led.